By reading this journal you agree NOT, repeat, NOT, to post any comments, entries or other information found on this journal without my express permission, and in the case of comments, the permission of the commenter as well.

My journal's pretty much friends-only these days, so if you're interested in reading my rants and rambles then drop me a comment here.If I haven't met you already then let me know where you found me, and if we have met somewhere - either in person or through a forum/comm - then let me know where, as I'm a curious little soul.

I've been browsing my old entries and I just want to say thank you to all my f-list. You guys are some of the most wonderful, amazing, and hilariously funny people I know, and I feel blessed to know you all, even if it is just on here! :D

And aside from being reminded how great my friends are, I also found my old corset posts, which was the original object of the exercise, the actual object apparently being to make me nearly wet myself with laughter! XD

Well I've just spent a most enjoyable morning scaring the shit out of myself between working on the diss and washing my hair.

I'm sure most of you know I'm (possibly worryingly) obsessed with the Black Death, and this book is the reason why. I saw the TV documentary years ago and recorded it, and spent many happy hours one holiday watching it on repeat. Later, when browsing the MoL shop just before I left MoLAS I spotted the book and nabbed it.

Now, if you want to freak Toria out, barring the phobia which is an evil and unforgiveble thing to do, give it to her in print form. Being such a bibliophile means that when I read things I get far more scared and for a longer period of time than if I watch or hear them - witness the book of The Birds vs. a horror film (though not the Hitchcock film The Birds which is a load of tosh - seriously, read the book).

So while the documentary was worrying, I loved it. Same as I love the Black Death exhibition/video room thingy in the Museum of London, which, incidentally, carries footage from and is based on the documentary. Now I also love the book, but reading it, especially the last few chapters which deal with the Black Death's impact if it comes back, really really freaks me out.

The Black Death was not bubonic plague spread by fleas and rats - none of the contemporary evidence supports this, from the symptoms to the pattern of infection to the environmental conditions needed to support rats and therefore bubonic plague. Instead, it's a viral haemorrhagic fever, with an infectious period of three weeks before you show symptoms, an incredibly high mortality rate, and that gives you fever, delirium, swellings, massive amounts of pain and causes your internal organs to rot and liquify over the period of about five days between first showing symptoms and dying horribly. :)

And it's been around for thousands of years - the close correlation between eyewitness accounts of the symptoms and spread of the Plague of Athens in the fifth century BC, the Plague of Justinian in the sixth century AD, the Black Death in fifteenth-century Europe, and the following plagues that struck Europe continually for the next three hundred years, make it all one disease. And it's entirely likely that it'll be back, hence the last few chapters being really scary. :D

So, turns out lots of people haven't been seeing my entries since about mid-June. Kinda explains why no-one's been commenting doesn't it? And makes this one kinda pointless, as as far as I know this little problem hasn't been fixed yet. If it has, read from September onwards, then go back and read the remaining 'missing' ones if you'd like. :) Stuff posted after September 1st (all 14 rather short entries) will give you a rough idea of where I am now. And yes, I do realise I still have to give a proper Lampy update...

Someone, either on my f-list or in one of the comms I belong to, has an 'oh the huge manitee' icon, with a picture of (surprise surprise) a manitee on it. If it's you, or you know who's/where it is, could you let me know? Thankies! :D

I fail miserably at making fudge. I left it on the hob too long and it burnt. The corridor and my room stink, the bottom of my saucepan is coated in the stuff, and as for the 'fudge' in the tin, I'm going to need a pickaxe to get it out - it's rock solid. All I wanted was some home-made fudge like me and Mum made once that was absolutely delicious...

'The final look [of a British field archaeologist] should be somewhere between an Afghan tribesman (circa 1875) and a paramilitary unit from Angola'. I am going to get the weirdest looks on the way to work XD

Yeah, I did sod-all today. Didn't wake up till the afternoon, didn't get up till later, didn't get dressed till even later, didn't eat till well after that. Ooops... Tomorrow I will do better - hopefully! And now I will try and go to bed without being distracted by more internet. :D

Show of Hands rules. It's one huge bandocracy - all folk bands standing together and ruling the world :D

This is why I love folk. This is what it's about. This is why folk and folk-rock are improtant.

Haul away boys, let them go,Out in the wind and the rain and snow.We've lost more than we'll ever know,On the rocky shores of England.

Now it's been 25 years or more,I've roamed this land from shore to shore.From Tyne to Tamar, Severn to Thames,From moor to vale, from peak to fen.Played in cafes, and pubs and bars,I've stood in the street with my own guitar.But I'd be richer than all the rest,If I had a pound for each request,For 'Duelling Banjos', 'American Pie' - it's enough to make you cry.'Rule Britannia', or 'Swing Low',Are they the only songs we English know?

After the speeches when the cake's been cut, the disco's over and the bar is shut.At Christening, birthday, wedding or wake,What can we sing until the morning breaks?When the Indian-Asians, Afro-Celts - it's in their blood below the belt.They're playing and dancing all night long,So what've they got right that we've got wrong?

And haul away boys, let them go,Out in the wind and the rain and snow.We've lost more than we'll ever know,On the rocky shores of England.

Haul away boys, let them go,Out in the wind and the rain and snow.We've lost more than we'll ever know,On the rocky shores of England.

We need roots!

And the minister said that his vision of hell is three folk singers in a pub near Wells.Well I've got a vision of urban sprawl.It's pubs where no one ever sings at all.And everyone stares at a great big screen,Overpaid soccer stars, prancing teens,Australian soap, American rap, Estuary English, baseball caps.And we learn to be ashamed before we walk,Of the way we look and the way we talk.Without our stories, or our songs,How will we know where we come from?I've lost St George in the Union Jack,It's my flag too and I want it back!

Lots of people on my friendslist seem to be doing end-of-year posts, so here's mine:

♥ Happy New Year! ♥

I'm quite looking forward to 2007, despite the odd worries. Which are all to do exclusively with uni, so we can brush that under the carpet for now - I'm still on holiday! :D

So, 2007 is nigh and I'm feeling good about it. :) 2006 was, well, as good and as bad as all other years really.

The Bad Stuff (in the order I thought of them):

- I started out being ill from the end of the Christmas holidays to the beginning of the Easter holidays, which involved much feeling crap and vastly extended essays.- I broke up with Stephen in February- The whole being-in-love-with-someone-I-can't-have thing got slightly out-of-hand, and was compounded by various other problems to do with relations with certain men of my aquaintance.- I didn't get as much work done as I would have liked- My lappy had to have two destructive system restores done before it stopped turning itself off and losing me my work and msn conversations and so on- I wasn't able to get to Finland to visit Heidi or to the US for Ian and Buffy's wedding- A couple of my friends have really hurt me this year- Not everyone I wanted to be there was able to make my birthday party- I wasn't able to be as active on the Plaza as I wanted to be, which begins the fade to all the little things that have irritated/angered/made me upset over the course of the year, which need not be listed here. Like the UCS.

The Good Stuff (following the order of the above):

- After that first term I only got Freshers' Flu once in September, and was pretty much free from all physical ills the rest of the year, aside from skinning my knee four times, which I quite enjoyed for the ridculousness :D- I broke up with Stephen in February- One of my old crushes from back when I was about 15 is single, and turns out I'm still fairly attracted to them, so that's a possible. My godmother's nephew who kissed me over the summer is also a possible, and there's the brother of a friend who might be interested in me as well. :D True they're all long-distance, but we'll see what happens :)- I got all my essays in eventually, and got 69 for the year overall (one mark off a First), and that's without the mark for my Fieldwork and Excavation module. And I still have plenty of time for the 13000 words and my diss, so that's all good- My lappy is all happy now (touch wood)- I had a great time over the summer at Joust, Sidmouth, with Bea, visiting Grandma, meeting up with Star and Laila, meeting up with Fairy, Pippit, John and others.- I have a wonderful group of very good and close friends who love me- I turned 21 and had a great time, and I'm enjoying it, though it does scare me sometimes!- I got an SCR on the Plaza, and wrote an article for the MeM and got tribbed for it too :D Which trails off into all the little good things that happened. Like compliments :)

So, pretty even then :) Ok, so I tend to complain on here more than I bounce, but I do bounce a lot - just ask Ed and anyone who was at Helen's birthday party! And looking back at 2006 from here, it's the recent stuff that tends to stick in the mind, and the last part of this year wasn't nearly as good as the summer. But all years are like that - some up, some down. And 2006 was one hell a lot better than 1996 ever was! That year has to have been one of my worst - Dad's alcoholism reached it's worst, culminating in his having three epileptic fits in front of me and going into rehab when I started high school. I was 11.

Overall? 2006 had its ups and downs, and I'm hoping 2007 will be more up than down. :) I'm not necessarily glad this year is nearly over, but nor am I particularly sad. Years pass, we got older, and life goes on - I for one plan to enjoy it :D

So, birthday was very good - lots of good presents (two volumes away from the entire HoME series - only Pippit's to go), and good company. :)

Christmas Day was good too - and for the first time in a few years I've not fallen asleep in the afternoon :D Though it's the first year that none of us have had pudding. Not even me. I hate being 21...

Boxing Day was not so good - my period started then. Wonderful. Hello cramp and pain and drugs. But today was worse. Today I had to take double doses, and that meant I passed out. Several times. See, it's bad enough when I take just one, 'cause I always get the 'may cause drowsiness' bit. Taking two? I cannot stop myself falling asleep.

But yes, me and Mum may be going to see the male Swan Lake this hols, and hopefully going round the Tower too, seeing as I'm writing a 5000 word essay on the thing it may be an idea to go look at it! :D

And you have just entered the ranks of those of my friends who I love to pieces and have no problem saying so to everyone I meet. You absolute DARLING! *Hugs very very muchly* And you're not even a fanatic - no-one has done that much research on it before. Oh you will not believe how much that made my day, you blessed sweetheart! Though the 'Q' was slightly unnecessary, but I love you for it all the same :DAnd I hope so to - I really do :)

Going out tonight with my old schoolfriends, and get to meet Eimi's new boyfriend :)

My last Amazon parcel (that I was expecting, not necessarily that I'll order) got delivered, after having a card pushed through the door yesterday.

Got to catch up with various Lampy people over msn :D

Had an email back from Izzie too - was good to hear from her, even though she isn't able to make the 22nd. :)

And I have the prospect of three free shelves too! :D Though that does involve moving stuff to the loft. Ah well - three more bookshelves!! XD

A slight downside is that my Plaza account hasn't been re-activated yet, which, though irritating, isn't that crucial - the Racing season's just finished, and our next Drill match isn't until January :)

And now I'm off to make Green Thunder toasties again! Or goats-milk cheese toasties. Not entirely sure which yet. :D

Why is it I seem to have lost my inability to feel the cold? London is sodding freezing, and no one else seems to think so.

Haven't got the verification email through from the Plaza yet, but considering the changes going on it's hardly surprising. Emailled the Admins tonight, so hopefully I should be back posing soon. Posing? Heh, one of my better typos, so I think I'll leave it in. 'Specially considering some people's views on the Elven race! :D Posting.

Paid in cheques for the Mother today, got myself some more deoderant (and I got the right one this time too!) and shampoo and conditioner.

Yes, the Hair is a touchy subject right now. But don't ask, 'cause Toria's not feeling like talking.

I also despair of certain areas of the internet, need to eat food, need to sleep and need to go shopping for presents tomorrow. Also need to start unpacking seriously - there's only so long I can live out of boxes stacked one on top of the other when what I want is always in the bottom box no matter how I stack them.

I'm awake... I shouldn't be, but I am. I shouldn't have stayed up all night packing, and getting distracted by people on msn. And reading books. And sending out invitations to my 21st. Ok, so that last one did need doing, but that's not the point! Mind you, even if I hadn't gone out to dinner with the parentals, even if I didn't go round to Robin's and watch two hours of Carnivale (which the Mother didn't want me to do) I'd still have been up all night packing. So there. XD

But this beats doing essays the night before hands down! And the deadline's the same too - 12 midday. Parentals want to leave by then 'cause there's a work colleague's party we're going to in the evening in London - and it's someone I worked for when I was at Ealing, so I pretty much have to go. Which would be fine, if it wasn't for the fact that I may well be dead to the world. But as I can sleep (pass out is possibly a better term) in cars I should be ok :D

And as I still have to finish packing, do the washing up that I haven't done for the past five weeks (don't worry - it's not evolving things yet) and go last-minute shopping before 12, this may well be the last post I make in Lampy this calendar year. Aaaaarrrgghhhhh!!!!!!! Can I stay here please? I don't want to leave....! *Clings to the doorposts*

*Yields, but with a sluggish, cold indifference*

Note to self: you are going back to your civilized life in the Real World. Do not quote lines from raunchy Greek sex play. Lysistrata is not a suitable subject for the dinner table. Or indeed any table. Unless it's a table in a brothel.

Play, film and TV series. All you need now is a book and a radio play and you'll have done the lot. Must be because Andrea's left and is miles and miles and miles away in Bristol (audio book, does that count?) and therefore can't hit you. And you're getting silly through lack of sleep. And no chocolate or sugar either.

Irritating new box thing... I feel the old one was laid out much better.

Anyways, this is me packing. I knew I'd be up all night, or most of it anyway, even if I didn't go round to Robin's to watch Carnivale with Bea.

And for some reason Midget left my Christmas card at Talavera. Granted I do spend lots of time there, but far as I can tell she did it tonight, and there's no guarentee I'd have been there. It's only 'cause Bea and I had planned this a few days ago, else I'd have come straight back here and continued packing.

Have you any idea how hard it is for me not to sit and read books for the rest of the night? It's 4am, and I'm tired, but only the sort of tired I'd feel at say two after a day. Not the usual 'I need to go to sleep now else I'll fall asleep at the computer' tiredness I get. But then I'm not writing an essay - the stress really doesn't help. Yes I'm under pressure to pack everything by 12 at the very latest, but that's nothing to actually writing thousands of words. And it's easier than summer in a way, as there's not so much, but I still have to decide what comes and what stays. And yes I'm obviously working now...

And I still haven't emailled my friends about the 22nd yet. I should really do that tonight as well...

Mortuary practices. Last lecture was a quiz. On mortuary practices. Yeah... We know nothing! XD

But we did get some questions right, so we got chocolate. And then I raided the tin afterwards too! :D

And now I have to work out if I've got enough time to go shopping in Carmarthen with Helen, as I have to find module sheet thingys to fill in and give back, work out what essays I'm doing for MMSS before I see Janet tomorrow morning, work out which lectures I missed before I go see Andy to catch up, find the colour photocopies to give back to Mel, finish scanning Kez's photos, finish writing cards, buy wrapping paper (which I could do in Carmarthen), and a few other things, like say, clearing my bed!

One RL conversation, two photos with captions and two msn conversations later, and I'm bouncing off the walls again. :D

Toria does take the long-term view, but she does go through phases of being depressed over the short-term stuff. The reason why you get to have a concentration of rants and rambles at various intervals is because for the rest of the time Toria knows she has nine/ten years left before she needs to start worrying. :)

Toria also gets to sleep on the floor again tonight, as her bed is full of all the stuff that was on the floor today and she really cannot be bothered to shift it all back again. Her room was pretty much the worst it's ever been here - and that's saying something! So it's cloak, blanket and pillow tonight, which does mean that getting up tomorrow morning for my 10am mort prac lecture-quiz thing is going to be one heck a lot easier. There's a fairly big difference between 'ugh, don't want to get up... I'm going to crawl back into bed' and 'ugh, don't want to get up... I'm going to curl up on the floor again'.

Plus, having all of the stuff on the bed gives me an incentive to tidy - sleeping on the floor repeatedly ain't a nice thing to have to be doing, and it's easier to take stuff off the bed and make neat piles of it on the floor than it is to make neat piles on the bed, 'cause I know I'd only get halfway done before putting it all back on the floor again to go to sleep, whereas if I get halfway through clearing stuff off the bed I can still sleep in it. :D And, more importantly, I'll have a space to lounge and read pretty bookses!

I got given chocolate though, which is good. Party was good too, laughed much. Those photos still make me giggle every time I see them and read the captions. It's Wednesday tomorrow. I can steal books off Janet. I think my Green Thunder may have gone off. Or it just doesn't toast well. My bed's still full of crap. Bugger.

*Goes off to look at photos again*

Which reminds me, I still have to finish scanning and give Kez her pics back too. Effort... Too much...

On the plus side, William was in today to do our lecture the sweetheart :D Also, I got to chat to Janet, I forgot Andy's module had finished last week (was on autopilot) and so have an extra hour to play with before the History/English dept. Christmas party at five, and my floor is clear and clean. My bed, on the other hand, isn't. That's going to need seeing to before the end of the evening.

Oh, and I got up in time for my lecture! And up as in up, dressed, breakfast, hair and awake (ish) up. How I managed I'm not sure. Same with my second Church essay - the heresy one. 72. Whatthefrak? How I manage to do that I have no idea. I'm not complaining, but I'm not going to question it too closely, in case it stops working.

Plus I have bookses! Lots of bookses! Three of which I bought today at the second-hand booksale stall thing in the Union earlier today, but six of which I've borrowed off chiv - five on Norse mythology and stuff for my diss, and one fantasy book to read instead of doing my diss. Or anything else for that matter! XD

He's a sweetie, and someone else I can go to for advice on things, and who'll most likely be (as far as I can tell) level-headed at me when I'm turning into my charictaristic small ball of tightly-wound stress and panic. Whether over essays or anything else :)

And he made me laugh - I asked him what he thought my religious leanings were. Answer? A mix of Catholic, Wiccan and heathen. XD Plus I got called shallow - an interesting change from white trash ne?